I Corinthians 14:29 teaches the principle that no man is the judge of his own ministry. Those who guide the assembly should encourage men who can open the Scriptures profitably to give ministry. In the case of younger men, those who evidently fear the Lord will receive help from such kind encouragement, too. Those who speak to fellow-believers from the Word of God should be hesitant to do so without the encouragement of reliable believers. No assembly needs a "volunteer ministry" (men eager to fill in wherever they can find an opening) or an "every man ministry." Only a Spirit-prompted ministry is profitable.

Some specific principles are: 1. Honoring Christ is the ultimate goal of the message (John 16:14); 2. Love for the listeners and an awareness of their need motivate the message (Mark 6:34); 3. The Spirit will open the way so the occasion is not forced (1 Corinthians 12:6; Proverbs 25:11); 4. The message must be both something the speaker has enjoyed and also for the profit of all (1 Corinthians 12:7); 5. The variety of needs among believers can only be met by the varied wealth of Scripture - all the counsel of God not the repetition of one theme (Acts 20:27; 1 Peter 4:10); 6. If a message is from God, it will be properly prepared (1 Timothy 4:15, 16; Isaiah 50:4; 1 Corinthians 14:33; don’t misappropriate Luke 12:11); 7. The mental, emotional, and physical conditions of the hearers must be considered (Mark 4:33); 8. God-given ministry does not polarize believers, cause contention, or exalt self (1 Corinthians 3:3; 4:6; 13:4-5; Galatians 5:20); 9. The value of the ministry of others must be considered so that no one monopolizes the time (1 Corinthians 12: 12, 21; 14:32).